November 10, 2009
“I’m not asking that you take them out of the world .. But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world .. Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy — consecrated– with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth.” John 17:15-17 The Message
Did Jesus pray for you …?
Jesus prayed for you .. that your life would be protected from the Evil One .. that your life would be in the world but not belong to the world. It is the same battle you face everyday: Will you live as a Jesus-Follower or as someone who wants to blend in with the world you live in? The world you live in is messed up .. broken .. and promises a false life without a cross or empty grave. You don’t have to believe or trust someone .. just believe anything and do the best you can. Jesus offers and gives a nail-scarred grace that meets you exactly where you are living your life today. He offers the same grace to the lonely and unnoticed as he does to the connected and accomplished. But Jesus prayed that your life would be changed everyday by the truth of His life and His words in you. And he prayed that your life would be filled and focused upon his mission in the world .. through your life. There is no greater threat in the world you live in than your life truth-consecrated. It is not up to you to answer Jesus’ prayer. All you can do is begin and continue this day with the simple surrender of belonging to Jesus. He has already prayed for your life to have a Christ-sized mission that is protected from evil .. consecrated in the life and truth of Jesus .. made whole and holy by His life living within you. Did Jesus pray for you ..? It only takes a moment to stop and listen to His words over your life .. your situation .. your circumstances .. your life today …
“In the same way that you gave me a mission to the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes .. So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.” John 17:18-19 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Prayed-Over-Jesus-Followers and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
